Want Cheese with that? In Las Vegas, the answer is yes for Lounge Against the Machine

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Richard Cheese, second from right, and Lounge Against the Machine.

Wed, Mar 18, 2015 (12:34 p.m.)

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Richard Cheese

Richard Cheese is developing a tribute album to The Beatles to be released in 2016.

The title: “Let It Brie.”

The man has not lost his penchant for puns.

“The only problem,” says the frontman for Lounge Against the Machine, “is choosing which 12 Beatles songs for this album.”

I dunno. “Cheese, Cheese Me,” as a start?

A longtime favorite of Las Vegas venues, many of them lounge or lounge-like, is back in town with his crack swing band Saturday night at Club Madrid in Sunset Station. Shows are at 8 and 10:30 p.m.; tickets are $25, $35 and $45 (fees not included). Go to any Station Casino Rewards center, hit SCLV.com/concerts or ticketmaster.com or call (800) 745-3000 for tickets.

Cheese has carved a singular niche in the entertainment industry as one of the longest-surviving (if not the longest surviving) lounge-lizard satirist in the country. Tony Clifton would be one of a very few individuals who could boast such longevity, but even Clifton has taken a break from character.

Not Cheese. He’s been swinging since 2000, this being his 15th anniversary. The first time I ran into him was at a 2002 show in Venus Lounge at the Venetian. That was the space, retro-swanky in its decor and vibe, that was soon overtaken by Tao. Cheese was sampling from his first two albums, “Lounge Against the Machine” and “Tuxicity.”

As has become customary, the set was stuffed with the swingin’ stylings of such searing satirical songs as “Smack My Bitch Up” by The Prodigy, “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)” by The Beastie Boys and “Suck My Kiss” by The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Cheese is forever touring and always between CDs. “Aperitif for Destruction,” “I’d Like a Virgin” and “OK, Bartender” are among his more popular releases. He’s released 14 albums, total, and boasts more than 200,000 in sales.

“We really have an enormous list of songs to choose from,” Cheese says. “There are more good songs than people realize, some great new artists, wonderful songs. Talk about Las Vegas — Imagine Dragons is a band I really like and am working on one of their songs. I just haven’t decided which.”

Weird Al has likely taken “Radioactive” out of play, but “I Bet My Life” would have to be one to make Cheese’s final cut.

“I’ll take any suggestions,” Cheese says. “I’m open.”

Cheese’s stage presentation might not be straight outta Compton (sadly, not yet covered by Cheese), but it is classic Vegas as classic Vegas has been defined by such smarmy lounge performers as Bill Murray’s Nick Ocean. The hair is slicked back, the slacks are straight black and the jacket is striped in a tiger print. Behind him is the tuxedoed trio of grate (er, great) players: Bobby Ricotta on guitar, Frank Feta on drums and Mike Swiss on bass.

“When people see our band, they see our version of Las Vegas, the tuxes and suits and a time in the 1950s and ’60s when guys had to wear a tie just to leave the house,” Cheese says. “We’re bringing that Las Vegas to people around the country, including Las Vegas. I’m talking to the audience, having a drink in a showroom where people can relax and have a good time.”

Cheese has updated his act by velvet-izing “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift and “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea. “Somebody Told Me” by The Killers is one nod to contemporary Las Vegas recording artists. “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk and “Girls, Girls, Girls” by Motley Crue have been rotated back into the setlist.

The return to Las Vegas, where Cheese most recently performed in 2013, is dripping with nostalgia. He first visited the city as a 10-year-old kid, the family staying at Circus Circus. This was just after “Diamonds Are Forever” had been released, featuring that hotel among many other Las Vegas landmarks.

It was a hip place, especially for a kid, and Cheese and his cousin watched as a guy hit a hot streak on a slot machine. Every so often, the man would toss a silver dollar toward the boys. Soon they had $20 in genuine, Las Vegas gambling profits.

“We came back to the room with this $20, and in the 1970s that was a lot of money — especially for a kid,” Cheese recalls. “My mom, she was mad. Don’t want to see a 10-year-old kid with $20 in Las Vegas. Where’d it come from? What are you going to do with this?”

In this instance, you save the bread and order up some Cheese.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.

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